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Author Topic: .410 for turkey?  (Read 906 times)

Offline Wetwoodshunter

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.410 for turkey?
« on: January 12, 2026, 04:25:21 PM »
I was thinking about hunting the youth season this year with my 7 year old son. I have a single shot pardner model .410 with a full choke that he could use. Would this gun and setup work? Would tss damage the barrel like steel shot through a full choke?

Online jrebel

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Re: .410 for turkey?
« Reply #1 on: January 12, 2026, 04:41:41 PM »
We have killed many a turkey with .410.  Practice, practice, practice!!!  Keeps shots to reasonable ranges and go get a bird.   :tup:

Offline Kingofthemountain83

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Re: .410 for turkey?
« Reply #2 on: January 12, 2026, 05:04:16 PM »
I've killed two turkey with a the same exact 410 in my 30's... One was 37 yards with 3" lead #5's... The other 24 yards... Same load... I used the same thing for pheasant...
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Offline EnglishSetter

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Re: .410 for turkey?
« Reply #3 on: January 12, 2026, 05:15:44 PM »
All depends.  Growing up in CA it was rare to see a turkey.  Before I left, you could use a slingshot or pellet gun.  So most certainly a  410 will kill a turkey in the right conditions.

TSS has made smallbores competitors. 

I'd research a bit on the choke situation, but my gut tells me it'd be fine with such small shot.

Offline wadu1

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Re: .410 for turkey?
« Reply #4 on: January 12, 2026, 06:29:51 PM »
Should be no problem at all. I would do what @jrebel said practice practice. I know @Russ McDonald swears by them with TSX. I would not use steel only lead or TSX.
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Offline lewy

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Re: .410 for turkey?
« Reply #5 on: January 12, 2026, 06:42:14 PM »
Keep the shots close they aren’t exactly a hammer
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Offline millerwheeler

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Re: .410 for turkey?
« Reply #6 on: January 12, 2026, 06:58:30 PM »
Both my boys started with single shot .410 get a good choke and some
Proper rounds no issue just not as much range is all

Offline brokentrail

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Re: .410 for turkey?
« Reply #7 on: January 12, 2026, 07:12:51 PM »
I would just suggest patterning it with the turkey load you plan to use.  I have that same .410 and unfortunately for me, mine shoots horrible, almost like it has no choke at all, yet it is stamped as a full.  I have owned it since new, so I know what has been shot through it, which was minimal lead loads before I realized how bad it patterned.  It just sits in the safe now.

Offline HUNTINCOUPLE

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Re: .410 for turkey?
« Reply #8 on: January 12, 2026, 07:17:57 PM »
Close shots with 4 lead is a show stopper.  Practice and more practice is important. 
Slap some bacon on a biscut and lets go, were burrnin daylight!

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Offline Ridgeratt

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Re: .410 for turkey?
« Reply #9 on: January 12, 2026, 07:19:47 PM »
What yardage are you shooting it at?

Offline ghosthunter

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Re: .410 for turkey?
« Reply #10 on: January 12, 2026, 08:35:50 PM »
I would suggest you make real sure she can lower the hammer safely if she doesn’t take a shot. All three of my kids grew up shooting that exact gun. Small cold fingers need lots of cock and un cock practice. Safety is more important than anything else.
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Offline HUNTINCOUPLE

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Re: .410 for turkey?
« Reply #11 on: January 12, 2026, 09:49:44 PM »
What yardage are you shooting it at?


30 yards and under. 10-20 yds be8ng the norm and hunting out of a ground blind.
Slap some bacon on a biscut and lets go, were burrnin daylight!

Most peoples health is a decision not a condition?

Kill your television!  ICEMAN SAID TO!

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Offline Russ McDonald

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Re: .410 for turkey?
« Reply #12 on: January 12, 2026, 11:50:02 PM »
I hunt with a .410 for turkeys for sure.  With it being a fixed full choke Inwoild stick with lead pattern the gun for sure.  Bring them in close.  TSS is way harder then steel so I would be on the conservative side.  There are .410 turkey loads out there that aren't TSS that I used  before I got TSS I think Federal made it.

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Offline ctwiggs1

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Re: .410 for turkey?
« Reply #13 on: Yesterday at 06:36:06 AM »
One guy on here was talking about 50 yard turkey kills with TSS through a 410.  I grew up shooting ducks and geese with a 410.  I wouldn’t think twice.  Heck I’m thinking about stealing my kids 410 and using that this year.  It’s way more fun to walk around with than my 12!

Offline Russ McDonald

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Re: .410 for turkey?
« Reply #14 on: Yesterday at 07:54:03 AM »
One guy on here was talking about 50 yard turkey kills with TSS through a 410.  I grew up shooting ducks and geese with a 410.  I wouldn’t think twice.  Heck I’m thinking about stealing my kids 410 and using that this year.  It’s way more fun to walk around with than my 12!
that was me.  52 yards 2 falls ago.  Another at 45 one year

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